Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-05-20
UPON MARYE'S HILL.

peHeIdl n. l.. LOIS Interesting dC-
count of the battle of Fredericksburg
prompts me TO give some further partic-
ulars of that battle. 1t has been said
that the soldier never sees battle, but
many of US, both men and officers, SAW
that battle while participating in it.
Many who repelled the fierce and Won
! derfully determined attacks on Marye's
Heights, and those who occupied that
| day the corresponding hill across the
ravine, through which passed the coun-
| try road into town, had impressed upon
! their memories scene not often equalcd
for its terrible grandeur. Nor did any
other battle of the war offer such
scene; for Gettysburg and the fierce
conflicts around Richmond, from tie
nature of the ground, gave a much less
comprehensive view to any observer, no
matter what his position. happened
that day to have charge of big gun east
in Richmond, which was placed in an
earthwork on the Hill, above spoken Of
to the light of Marye's Hill, facing the
town. Before the plans of the enemy
developed, this gun was employed in
firing at the innumerable wagon trains,
and any batteries that were within its
range on the opposite side of the river.
We soon drew upon ourselves a very
heavy fire, many of The opposing guns
being beyond our range. These guns
would throw rifled shell far beyond us
into the woods as well as burst many
Immediately around us. After the bat.
tie began it was evident to the Federals
that Marye's Hill must be taken, so
masses Of troops were concentrated un-
der cover of prodigiOus discharge of
artillery upon the batteries on Maryes
Hill and upon the gun in this fortitica
ton, aud the attack was made under
this protecting fire. This hill was often
a point of observation for General Lee
and other officers, giving as il did full
view of the opposing army liz its efforts
TO cross. The earth work in which this
gun was placed was so faced as to en-
lilade the railroad cut leading into town
and across which the enemy's infantry
had to pass in the charge upon Marye's
Hill. Between the cut and these heights
was plane nearly level until nearing
the height when it became quite steep.
AS soon as the first advance of the
troops occurred and they descended the
steep side of the deep cut, we brought
the big gun to bear upon the trench,
filled as it was with men struggling into
it on one side and up iE the direction of
Marye's Hill on the other. It was not
difficult thing to get range that would
play havoc with this mass of men. The
only hindrance was the tremendous fire
which the gun drew upon itself from
the opposite side. Smoke at every dis
charge obstructed the view for time,
but by stepping aside, partly behind the
forttication, could avoid this aud fol-
low the huge shell in its flight. Things
strangely dissimilar may resemble each
other, and this fearfully destructive
shell, as my eye followed it, reminded
me Of nothing so much as the rapid dis
appearance of dove when its line Of
flight is directly away from the ohserv-
er. The dark object could be followed
until it reached the mass of toiling SOL
ders, when, If it burst, it seemed TO
empty the cut of men, and If it did not,
long red lane was to be seen as ii passed
through. Odd conceits sometimes pos
sess Us. The long cut, the moving mass,
the lanes moved through il, reminded
he of wanton boys dealing death to
hosts of ants as they constantly advance,
unchecked by the ever-increasing pile
of dead comrades. Our gun became so
hot that we were forced to cool it fire.
quently, but after doing service, which
was proved good by our own observa-
tion, it burst. 1 had stepped aside to
observe the effect Of the discharge,
when, instead Of seeing the dove-like
messenger of death pass from it, as be-
fore. the entire fOrepart of the gun, in
front Of the trunnion, went whirling
over and over, down the hill in front Of
us. Small portions flew to each side,
and the entire rear took the back track
for the woods, following the Union
shells. Strange TO say, on one was
hurt. As soon as possible we brought
"Long Tom" into position. This gun
haG been used in oicing observation
balloons TO shift their positions or come
down somewhat further up the river
than Marye's Hill. There ii had caused
some very preeipitate descents, but now
il was needed for surer work.
Among the generals who occupied
the hill for observation was General
Barksdale, whose brigade, as General
Long says, occupied the line IN front of
this earth-work and to its right down
the river. After the enemy despaired
of forcing their way across the river
here and determined upon the move to
Charlottesville, we had lull in the
storm of shot and shell. used il TO ex-
anime the effect of the grand charges
upon Marye's Hill. Got an inch of the
surface of the bricks on the front Of the
house exposed to this fire was free from
the mark of MIME ball. Bushels Of